Los Angeles Dodgers’ J.P. Howell having best season

Southpaw J.P. Howell is in his second season with the Dodgers. He was good in 2013, appearing in 67 games and compiling an ERA of 2.03. He’s even better this season with a career-low ERA of 1.59 in 38 appearances.

Howell, 31, was asked to discuss the secret to his success Monday before the Dodgers hosted the Cleveland Indians.

“I’m just consistently working,” he told this newspaper. “You know, some years you get tired and there are weeks you get tired and you take some time off. And this year’s really been trying to just dedicate to sticking with it, sticking with the program. And then also the starting pitching has been huge. I mean, they’ve set the tone.

“They can show you a lot of keys on how to get guys out and also they go deep in the games so we don’t have to cover so many innings. Early on it was a little hectic, but they really cleaned it up the last two months. And all the guys in the bullpen as well, just being around that kind of energy that we have, that makes it easy to show up to the ballpark every day.”

Manager Don Mattingly doles out high praise for Howell, a Modesto native.

“J.P., you can’t really put a value on him, he’s been great,” Mattingly said. “He gets lefties out, he gets righties out, he’s been durable. He gets big outs. We use him kind of all over the place. He’s going to get one guy out or two, or I can use him for a full inning. And, again, he bounces back and we can use him pretty regular.”

This is Howell’s ninth season in the big leagues. He started 33 games his first three seasons, and was in a closer’s role just once — in 2009 with the Tampa Bay Rays. Other than that, he has been a situational reliever, and they don’t get much consideration for the all-star game.

“I mean, it’s one of those things where I feel it’s a longshot,” Howell said. “I’ve never shot for personal goals. Every time I do, I fail at those, man. I just don’t think that works. So for me, I just try to focus on where we’re going.

“Everyone’s goal in here is to win the World Series. And I think a lot of guys in here are all-stars, to be honest. We have seven, eight guys who you could really pick, man. That’s what’s cool about being on a team like this, is I get to perform how I perform because I’m surrounded by a lot of talent. It helps me a lot.”

Mattingly isn’t sure how much of a chance Howell has to be picked for this year’s all-star game.

“I don’t know how that really works for the relievers,” Mattingly said. “It seems like they always talk about the closers, right?”

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Castillo taught screwball to Fernando

Former Dodgers right-handed pitcher Robert “Babo” Castillo lost his battle with cancer Monday, succumbing at age 59. As the story goes, Castillo — out of Lincoln Heights — taught the screwball to Fernando Valenzuela, who used the pitch to capture the hearts of Dodgers fans.

Dodgers historian Mark Langill wrote how longtime Dodgers scout Mike Brito was facing Castillo in a semipro game at Evergreen Park in East Los Angeles in 1975. Castillo had been in the minor leagues as an infielder, but had been released by the Kansas City Royals.

Castillo struck out Brito on a wicked screwball.

“He didn’t show me anything with his fastball,” Brito said in Langill’s story. “I thought it was going to be a piece of cake. I pulled a 2-2 pitch down the left-field line, but the ball went foul. Suddenly, out of nowhere, he throws me a big screwgie and I missed it by two feet.”

One thing led to another. Castillo ended up being signed in the Mexican League thanks to Brito. And Castillo eventually taught the screwball to Valenzuela.

“I was very saddened to hear about Bobby’s passing this morning,” Valenzuela said on the blog Dodgers Nation. “He was a great teammate and friend. I’ll always be grateful for his influence on my pitching. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.”

Castillo pitched nine years in the big leagues and had a record of 38-40 and an ERA of 3.94. He was mostly a reliever, but did start 59 games. He played with the Dodgers from 1977-81, went to the Twins for three years and then finished his career with the Dodgers in 1985. He is survived by his mother, Nellie; his daughters Mellanie and Sara; and son Robert III (as per Dodgers Nation).

Ramirez day to day

Shortstop Hanley Ramirez was out of the lineup again Monday because of a strained calf. Ramirez also has battled a sore throwing shoulder of late, but Mattingly said it’s the calf that is keeping him off the field; he was available for pinch-hitting duties.

“At this point I don’t think we’re looking at a DL (stint),” Mattingly said.